I-57 traffic stop leads to drug, weapon charges

URBANA — Two men stopped by police on an interstate highway in Champaign County Saturday because children were not in car seats were criminally charged with having a gun and drugs.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz said Anthony L. Smith, 27, of Harvey, and Alfonzo R. Green, 44, of Jackson, Miss., were charged Monday with armed violence, possession with intent to deliver cannabis, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon.

The charges stemmed from their arrests about 3:15 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 57 just west of Champaign.

Rietz said Green was driving the car south when a state trooper stopped him for having an obstructed windshield and three children who were not in car seats. A University of Illinois tracking dog was brought to the car and it alerted to the presence of drugs.

Rietz said a search of the car turned up a loaded .22-caliber pistol, ammunition, just over an ounce (35 grams) of cocaine and a total of just over three ounces (93 grams) of cannabis in two bags.

Police found that Smith was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants from Kane and McHenry counties.

The children were turned over to a relative.

On Monday, Judge John Kennedy arraigned both men and told them to be back in court June 17 for a probable cause hearing.

Smith, who has prior convictions for burglary and grand larceny, is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond, while Green, who Rietz said has a prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance, is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.